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Comments on RP saying that sadly he’s been put to sleep after his last fence fall in the 4pm race at Cheltenham. Was hoping for a death free festival this year as things had been going so well. RIP.
What sad news. I looked on here about 10 mins ago and breathed a sigh of relief that Matuhi had not appeared. RIP lad
I think it would be too much to hope for a death-free Cheltenham. The huge fields, high speeds, and extra ambition to win at the Festival add a risk factor. Let’s just hope he is the only one. I know it’s still one too many but sadly, that’s the way it goes.
I thought the same whn looking on another website.The vets were with him for an awfully long time trying their best.My heart goes out to his connections.So very sad.
It was sad and it looked like they were doing everything they could as they were still attending him with the screens up during the race after.
It’s turned into a very sad day at Cheltenham. At least we know they did everything they could for him.
Really sad – he was running a blinder – what a shame he got the last fence all wrong – so close to getting home. RIP poor fellow
Poor Matuhi, so sad for him and they tried so hard to save him, at least he wasn’t alone all credit to the veterinary team at Cheltenham. RIP sweet boy and condolences to David Pipe and his team a sad loss for them all today.
Things turn out best for those who make the best of how things turn out...Very sad, demonstrating fine form on bowing out. Must have been one of the best to be trained by Ben de Haan before moving to Pipe
I can understand Racing UK’s replay not showing the first fence where J T McNamara’s fall happened and that was respectful but why did they show Matuhi’s from the angle looking back? Not nice at all to see him trying to lift his head. OK I suppose they had to show the fence at the finish and as he was in contention for a place he was included but the head-on could have been omitted … poor, poor boy I hope he didn’t suffer too much – they were trying to save him for ages but surely they had a good idea what was wrong from seeing the actual fall and the fact he was trying but couldn’t get up – I know he would need time to get his breath back as it was the last and he would have been exhausted and winded but it did seem to take a long time before the pts decision was made. RIP brave Matuhi
Thursday midday: Racing UK have just said that the vets tried for 2 hours to help him and he did get up but sadly went down again.
From David Pipe’s website this morning:
It is with great sadness that we have to report that Matuhi had to be put down after suffering a fatal injury when falling at the last fence at Cheltenham yesterday. Our ten year old was in the process of running an excellent race and would certainly have been placed had he not come down at the last. He was attended to very quickly by the racecourse vets and given every to chance to recover but unfortunately he had to be put to sleep, please be assured he did not suffer. Matuhi was loved by all the staff at Pond House and this has put a real dampener on everyone’s spirits. Our thoughts and best wishes go to his owners, the Kaplan and Phillips families at this sad time. Matuhi was the winner of 8 races in his career, on the flat, over hurdles and fences as well as being placed numerous times. He was great servant to connections and had given great pleasure over many years and he will be greatly missed.
New report out from Animal Aid:
http://www.animalaid.org.uk/h/n/NEWS/news_horse//2840//
Unfortunately I think Aintree gets an unfair share of criticism and many have the same attitude that Cheltenham is at the opposite end of the spectrum to Aintree. Horses die at
all
racecourses and whatever can be done to prevent should be.
But it is a dangerous sport and will never be completely free of death – both to horses and jockeys.
Just a thought to all the lads lasses owners and trainers and the guys and girls that ride them – and the people that watch them. They have lost a dear friend.
RIP
I wasn’t going to say this but must reply to what Ten Plus has said. I was very pleased to hear that everything that could have been done to save Matuhi was done but felt uncomfortable to then realise that this took two hours. Surely it would have been obvious in half that time to realise there was no hope. I thought at the time that, perhaps he was unconscious [as happened at Aintree one year]. Are we sometimes trying too hard to show how much these horses mean to us, and maybe cause them more pain by doing so? And, by saying this I do not want, in any way, to cause more pain to Matuhis connections who must be heartbroken;it’s just an observation.
Someone who was there has posted on another forum that the vets were working on him for around 40 minutes, which is considerably less than the 2 hours reported on tv today …
Thank you Ten Plus for the updates and the lovely tribute from the David Pipe Yard about their beautiful horse Matuhi.
So loved and deeply missed by all.
I think Cheltenham racecourse did all they could to reduce injuries this year and should be commended. I also think tiredness had a lot to do with Matuhi’s fall at the last it often happens he ran such a brave race, just so sad that he was unable to be saved, heartbreaking.Things turn out best for those who make the best of how things turn out...I wasn’t going to say this but must reply to what Ten Plus has said. I was very pleased to hear that everything that could have been done to save Matuhi was done but felt uncomfortable to then realise that this took two hours. Surely it would have been obvious in half that time to realise there was no hope. I thought at the time that, perhaps he was unconscious [as happened at Aintree one year]. Are we sometimes trying too hard to show how much these horses mean to us, and maybe cause them more pain by doing so?.
I know what you mean Moehat. I sometimes think the same when I hear an injured horse has been put into the horse ambulance and taken (presumably bumpily) off the course, then transferred to a veterinary centre or even home. When you hear later that nothing could be done and it has had to be PTS you have to wonder how much extra suffering was caused by all this moving it about.
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